It is unfortunate that those teaching today have no easy way of finding out what teaching in the New York City public schools was like before we had a union. It would make them understand more viscerally the importance of keeping our union strong and fighting for our rights.

I started teaching in a junior high school in 1959, when starting salaries were $4,000 per year and any increase had to be voted on by the state Legislature. Many principals, whose pre-UFT powers were basically unchecked, ran their schools as if they were plantation owners.

Their “pets” were placed in virtually lifetime comp time jobs with no rotation of service required and vacancies were not obliged to be posted so other staff members might have an opportunity to fill the spot. There was no rotation of assignment in classes either. 

In 1959, prep periods were not required. There was no rotation of building assignments.